Head Clinical Department (Medical) Grade 1 X1 Post

About the role

The Department of Health (KwaZulu-Natal) is hiring a Head Clinical Department (Medical) Grade 1 X1 Post, based in GREY’S HOSPITAL. This is a permanent post, paying R2,704,842 a year. How to apply: APPLICATIONS MUST BE FORWARDED TO: Human Resources Department Greys Hospital Private Bag X 9001 Pietermaritzburg 3200 OR Hand Delivered to 201 Townbush Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg Or Reference number to quote: GS 16/26 Closing date: 9 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV.

Responsibilities

• Head the Department of Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital and manage its operational and strategic matters, including coordination of relevant services within Area 2.
• Ensure the provision of safe, cost-effective and high-quality anaesthetic and critical care services, including appropriate clinical cover for elective and emergency procedures.
• Oversee preoperative assessment, intraoperative anaesthetic care, recovery and postoperative support, in collaboration with surgical and other relevant clinical departments.
• Provide operational oversight of critical care services within the department’s approved scope, including admission and discharge processes, bed utilisation, patient prioritisation and referral pathways.
• Formulate and execute annual operational plans and medium- to long-term departmental strategies aligned with the Department of Health’s priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet APP and other performance targets, including theatre utilisation, cancellation rates, ICU bed occupancy, patient flow, clinical outcomes and waiting times, as applicable.
• Manage staff performance, EPMDS, recruitment and retention, labour relations, disciplinary processes, conflict management and grievance handling.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skills and competencies of departmental personnel, including sessional practitioners where applicable.
• Promote teaching and training of registrars, medical officers, interns, nursing personnel and undergraduate students, including postgraduate supervision and academic programmes.
• Maintain liaison with the relevant departments and training institutions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, CMSA, HPCSA and other academic partners, as applicable.
• Ensure clinical governance through regular morbidity and mortality meetings, clinical audits, utilisation reviews, incident reviews and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain and review the departmental risk register and implement measures to prevent and manage clinical, operational and medico-legal incidents.
• Design, implement and evaluate quality assurance and improvement programmes to reduce patient safety incidents and improve service efficiency.
• Participate in quality initiatives, including QA meetings, implementation of the Ideal Hospital Realization and Maintenance Framework, norms and standards, and OHSC-related activities.
• Manage budgets and resources prudently and ensure that essential anaesthetic and critical care equipment, medicines, medical gases and consumables are available, functional and appropriately maintained.
• Work with Finance, Supply Chain Management, Clinical Engineering and relevant hospital units to address equipment downtime, procurement delays and resource constraints.
• Chair and participate in relevant committees at Grey’s Hospital as required.
• Maintain accurate departmental records and statistics, including theatre activity, anaesthetic procedures, critical care utilisation and clinical outcomes.
• Work collaboratively within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Hospitals Complex, with referring hospitals, DCSTs and EMS.
• Oversee and support outreach, in-reach and approved virtual support programmes in Area 2.
• Manage and address client complaints involving the department and ensure appropriate follow- up and corrective action.
• Provide specialist advice to clinicians on anaesthetic, perioperative and critical care management within the scope of the department.
• Undertake clinical duties, including commuted overtime, as required and in accordance with prescribed requirements.
• Serve as acting Senior Manager: Medical Services when required and formally delegated.

Requirements

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate
• MBChB or equivalent.
• A postgraduate qualification in Anaesthesiology, or a recognized equivalent qualification that allows for registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology.
• Proof of current registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology.
• Seven years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration with the HPCSA in Anaesthetics and critical care.
• NB (Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit proof of all documents and certificate of Service endorsed by Human Resources and may be subjected to competency test.
• THE EMPLOYMENT EQUITY TARGET FOR THIS POST IS: AFRICAN MALE, COLOURED MALE, AFRICAN FEMALE, COLOURED FEMALE.
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/QUALIFICATION REQUIRED.
• A valid drivers license.
• Management experience as a Head Clinical Unit in Anaesthetic and critical care.
• Comprehensive managerial and leadership skills to head the Department of Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital, manage its operational and strategic matters, and coordinate relevant services in Area 2.
• Sound specialist knowledge and experience in anaesthesiology, perioperative care, resuscitation, airway management, pain management and critical care.
• Knowledge of critical care service delivery, including ICU bed utilisation, patient prioritisation, referral pathways, patient flow and continuity of care.
• Competence in developing, implementing and monitoring departmental policies, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Thorough understanding of financial management, resource allocation and optimisation, budgeting and expenditure control.
• Sound knowledge of Human Resource Management, including EPMDS, staff development, career pathing, recruitment and retention, labour relations, disciplinary processes and grievance management.
• Proficiency with computers and the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Risk and incident management, clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement.
• Problem-solving, decision-making, analytical thinking and conflict-management proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, report-writing, time-management skills and professional work ethic.
• Clinical leadership, teaching, training, mentorship and supervision skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge, understanding and implementation of Batho Pele principles.
• Knowledge of medical ethics, medico-legal risk and relevant professional standards, including appropriate clinical documentation and incident investigation.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and regulations of the Department of Health/DPSA, including the National Health Act, PFMA, SCM regulations and other applicable prescripts.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in the Microsoft office suite.